Bridle.



H. SCHMITZ.

BRIDLE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 6. 1913.

1,152,056. Patented Aug. 31, 1915.

* fiY SZQWZZ'ZZ Inventor HENRY SCHMITZ, OF WYMORE, NEBRASKA.

BRIDLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 31, 1915.-

Application filed October 6', 1913. Serial No. 793,739.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY SGHMITZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wymore, in the county of Gage and State of Nebraska, have invented anew and useful Bridle, of which the following is a specification.

One object of the present invention is to provide novel means directly under the control of the driver and directly connected with the reins by which the check bit and the main bit are directly controlled, which, in its turn, results in a complete control of the animal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a blinder stay of novel form the same being of double construction, and being rounded, the blinder stay having an opening in the center which is adapted to receive the ornamental billet which is fashioned by means ofa buckle to the center of the head stall. This construction of the blinder stay presents a decided advantage over old constructions, since it does away with sewing the billet to the blinder stay, the latter expedient tending tocause friction between eyes of the animal. Further, when these sewed billets become loose, they slide from side to side, whereas, under the construction contemplated in this invention, the billet will always remain in place adj acent the longitudinal center of the head of the animal. The blinder stay construction above mentioned is of advantage further, since the ends of the blinder stay. can be more securely fastened to, the blinders, and in case a face strap should be preferred, the

ornamental billet may be slipped readily out of the opening in the blinder stay, and be replaced by theface strap. I

It is within the scope of. the invention to improve generally and to enhance the utility of, devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

lVith the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of constructionhereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing, Figure 1 shows in per-' spective, one form of the invention; Fig. 2

is a transverse section of the blinder-stay; Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the blinderstay; Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the blinder-stay, showing a portion of the billet n place; and Fig. 5 is a perspective showlng a modified form of the invention.

In Figs. 1 and 5, the headstall is shown as thrown back somewhat beyond its normal position, in order that the parts may be shown clearly, but since the position of a headstall upon the head of a horse, is a matter of common knowledge, the showing under consideration has been fixed upon.

In the drawings, and referring to Fig. 1, a headstall is shown, the same comprising cheek straps -1 united at their upper ends with a head band 2, the straps l carrying blinders 3 united by a blinder stay 4, the blinder stay 4, asshown in Fig. 2, being of a rounded form, and comprising an outer member 4 and an inner member 4*, the members 4 and 4 being partially flattened and being separated adjacent the center of the blinder stay 4, to form an opening4. Upon both sides of the opening 4, the con stituent members of the blinder stay are stitched together, or otherwise united as indicated at 4 An ornamental billet 5 passes through the opening 4 as will be understood from Figs. 4 and 1, the rear end of the ornamental billet 5 being united with the head band 2 by means of a buckle 6. Owing to the fact that the blinder stay 4 is provided with the opening 4 in which the billet 5 is received, the billet 5 cannot slide sidewise, or become accidentally disengaged from the blinder stay. However, obviously, the billet 5 may be removed readily from the blinder stay to permit the insertion of a common face-strap, if desired. The billet 5, although readily detachable from the blinder stay 4 need not be sewed thereto to prevent the billet from sliding sidewise.

The reins are denoted by the numeral 8 and are detachably connected with bit straps 9 passed through the rings 10 of a bit 11, the forward ends of the bit straps 9 being detachably united with the forward ends of the cheek straps 1. The connections between the straps 1 and the bit straps 9 lie to the rear of the rings 10, the bit straps 9 being bent across the rings.

The check bit is denoted by the numeral 12 and the check is shown at 14, the same comprising bifurcated forward or lower ends 15, united with the rings of the check bit 12. The ends of the check 14 pass across a nose piece 18 which is detachably united with the connected ends of the cheek straps 1 and the bit straps 9. The check 14, which, in the present instance is shown as of the over-draw type, terminates in bifurcated rear ends 19 passing over common roller supports 20 mounted on the head band 2 and needing neither specific illustration nor description. The rear ends of the bifurcations 19 of the check 14 carry rings 21.

Buckles or securing devices 22, of any desired type, are carried by the reins 8, the buckles 22 serving to unite the ends 23 of a looped strap 23 with the reins 8, the ends of the looped strap 23 passing through the rings 21 which are mounted upon the rear ends of the bifurcations 19 of the check 14. The bend of the looped strap 23" carries an eye 24 of any desired type, adapted to be placed over the hook 25 which is commonly found upon the belly-band saddle 26 of the harness.

The construction of the device is such that when the reins 8 are drawn upon to control the main bit 11, the ends 23 of the strap 23 will be carried rearwardly, along with the reins 8, the ends 23 of the strap 23 sliding through the rings 21 which are located at the rear ends of the check 14. Since the looped portion of the strap 23 is connected with the hook 25, it will be obvious that, by the operation above described, tension will be placed upon the check 14 and thus, the check bit 12 will be controlled, simultaneously with the manipulation of the reins 8.

The foregoing feature is of great importance, as will be appreciated readily by any horseman. -The check-bit 12 is not only under the control of the driver at all times, but is controlled in a humane manner, the entire structure being capable of manipulation without in anywise exciting or angering the animal.

The invention, in the foregoing description, has been set forth as employed upon a road-harness equipped with blinders and with an over-draw check. However, the invention is capable of use upon a light skeleton headstall of the type shown in Fig. 5 and devoid of blinders. Fig. 5, further, serves to illustrate the fact that the invention may be used in connection with the side-draw check.

Referring to Fig. 5, the head-stall is shown as comprising cheek straps27 connected with a head band 28, the lower, forward ends of the cheek straps 27 being united with the rings 29' of a bit 30. The reins are indicated at 41 and are detachably engaged with the rings 29 of the main bit 30. Connected with the cheek straps 27 and the head band 28 at the point of juncture between these elements are loops 32 through which pass bit straps 33, the forward ends of which are connected with the check bit 34. The rear ends of the straps 33 carry rings 35.

Buckles 36 or other like means of any desired type are mounted upon the reins 41. The ends 37 of a loopedstrap 37 are passed slidably through the rings and are connected with the buckles 36, the looped strap 37 carrying an eye 38 adapted to engage with the check hook 39 of the belly-band saddle 40 of the harness.

The practical operation of the structure shown in Fig. 5 does not differ from the operation of the structure shown in Fig. 1 and it may be stated briefiy that when the reins 41 are drawn upon, the strap 37 will serve to tighten up the straps 33, thereby supporting and controlling the check bit 34.

The devices herein disclosed are so constructed that the driver may readily elevate the horses head, thereby taking the bit from him, and effecting a perfect control of the animal. The operation of the structure herein disclosed is such that the animal is surprised and readily controlled, Without being angered or excited, the operation being thoroughly efficient but entirely humane.

Although the word strap has been used hereinbefore in numerous instances, it is not to be understood that those elements which are designated as straps must of necessity be made of leather. The word strap is used in the description and in claiming the invention,to indicate a flexible element of any sort adapted for the ends sought.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is In a harness, a head stall; a main bit carried thereby; controlling reins connected with the main bit; a check bit; a check rein connected with the check bit and provided with rings; a forwardly extended saddle engaging means provided at its forward end with a ring; and a looped strap mounted to slide in all of'the reins, the ends of the looped strap being connected with the controlling reins at points in front of the ring on the saddle engaging'means.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY SCHMITZ. Witnesses:

E. P. PHILBRIC, ALoYs P. MnN'rcEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents,

Washington, I). G. i 

